Executive Director of Housing

Company: Richmond and Wandsworth Councils
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Overview

In this role you will lead the Housing Directorate across two London boroughs, driving improvement, reform and delivery of housing services. You will hold executive accountability for a complex portfolio amid rising homelessness, affordability pressures and regulatory expectations. You will convert strategic commitments into tangible resident outcomes, shaping safer homes, responsive services and value-for-money investment. You will work with residents, Members and partners to ensure housing is a whole-organisation priority and a meaningful voice for communities. This is a high-impact, public-service leadership opportunity.

Pay / Benefits

  • 40 days annual leave including bank holidays
  • flexible working
  • generous pension plan

Responsibilities

  • Provide clear executive accountability for housing across two boroughs
  • Lead homelessness prevention, temporary accommodation, allocations and housing strategy
  • Drive safety, compliance, repairs, maintenance and resident services in Wandsworth housing stock
  • Prioritise investment to deliver value for tenants and leaseholders
  • Strengthen governance, financial stewardship, performance management and regulatory compliance
  • Build relationships with Members, communities, partners and housing providers
  • Lead and support senior housing professionals
  • Embed housing as a whole-organisation priority across both councils

Key requirements

  • Substantial executive or director-level leadership experience in housing, local government or related public service
  • Track record of sustained service improvement and organisational change
  • Deep understanding of housing management, homelessness, building safety or regulatory improvement
  • Experience managing services with operational, financial and reputational risk
  • Ability to provide impartial advice and build trusted, politically-led relationships
  • Strong governance, performance, financial management and organisational assurance skills
  • Resilience and collaborative leadership to translate ambition into measurable improvements
  • listener and responsive to residents’ needs
  • collaborative leadership
  • ambition for residents
  • governance and performance management
  • financial management and value-for-money
  • regulatory compliance and risk management

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Posted: October 10th, 2026